Ronnie O'Sullivan withdraws from Championship League after frustration boils over
Yesterday at 08:31 AM
Ronnie O’Sullivan has withdrawn from the Championship League before his final game in Group Three, as frustration got the better of him in Leicester.
The Rocket played four games on Wednesday, losing three of them, as he seemed to have trouble with the tip on his cue.
He returned on Thursday morning to take on Rob Milkins in his opener and was clearly furious after missing a simple pink in the fourth frame.
The seven-time world champion whacked his cue on the table after missing the pot, although he quickly apologised to the referee and his opponent having done so.
O’Sullivan’s frustration was still very apparent, though, as in the next frame he came to the table and lashed the white ball into a group of reds, a gift which Milkins gratefully accepted and won the match 3-2.
The Rocket was due to play Ali Carter in his next match on Thursday afternoon but chose to withdraw from the event instead.
Dave Hendon on commentary explained: ‘Ronnie O’Sullivan we saw earlier was clearly getting frustaerted against Robert Milkins. He has made the decision to withdraw from the tournament so he won’t be playing his last match against Ali Carter.
‘It means all the matches he was involved in was voided, so he’s on zero (points).
‘Effectively now it’s a six-man group. Still the top four will go through [to the semi-finals] and only one player aside from O’Sullivan will be relegated.’
More to follow…
